Article Highlights
- tvOS 26.4 introduces a new "Continuous Audio Connection" setting designed to fix audio dropouts, particularly for users with Sonos speakers and AV receivers.
- The update permanently removes the legacy iTunes Movies and TV Shows apps from the Apple TV home screen.
- The software is currently in beta, with a full public rollout expected in the spring.
Apple's latest tvOS beta is going after a bug that's been annoying home theater nerds for ages. tvOS 26.4 has a new feature called "Continuous Audio Connection," and it's a direct attempt to stop your sound from cutting out. Oh, and it's finally killing off the old iTunes apps for good. This isn't a flashy update. It's the kind of maintenance work that makes a device you use every day just… work better.
Here's How Apple Tries to Fix Your Sound
The big deal is that new setting. When you turn it on, "Apple TV uses a Dolby MAT connection for glitch-free playback across formats". That's the technical jargon. What it means for you is fewer moments where the audio just blips out for a second. It's been a maddening problem, especially if you've invested in decent gear.
Sonos and Receiver Owners, This One's for You
This fix seems tailor-made for people using Apple TV with Sonos systems or classic AV receivers. You know the glitch: you're watching something, the scene changes or the audio format switches, and your sound cuts out briefly. The new feature tries to stop that by sending "all audio via an uncompressed HDMI signal that remains active even when the audio sources... switch between stereo, 5.1, 7.1 and Dolby Atmos". It keeps the audio handshake alive, so your equipment doesn't get confused and drop the signal.
But It Might Break Something Else
Here's the catch. It's a beta, and betas have bugs. Some Sonos users testing it are already saying the new setting "leads to problems when playing stereo content". So the fix for one problem might create another. That's the messy reality of audio compatibility. Apple's got a few weeks to tweak this before the final release.
iTunes Is Officially Dead on Apple TV
Let's bury the past. tvOS 26.4 completely removes the iTunes Movies and iTunes TV Shows apps from your home screen. This isn't a surprise, but it's the final step. They've been zombie apps for a while.
Everything Moves to the TV App
For years, Apple's plan "was to move users to the Apple TV app, but the iTunes apps remained on the Apple TV homescreen, gradually losing functionality". Now, with this update, those apps will be "removed completely from Apple TV". Don't panic. Your movie library is safe. You just have to open the Apple TV app to find it now.
Your Wish List Is Gone, Too
And with the apps goes a little piece of history: the wish list. Apple is telling users that "Your iTunes Wish List of movies and shows is going away soon and will no longer be accessible". If you've got titles parked there, you need to move them to your library before the update hits your box.
When You Can Actually Get It
You can't get the stable version today. tvOS 26.4 is "available to developer and public beta users" right now. The official release for everyone is planned for this spring. That beta period is key. Apple needs to figure out if the audio fix helps more people than it hurts.
Why This Update Actually Matters
Look, other streamers and game consoles have often been more reliable with complex audio setups. This audio bug was a black mark on the Apple TV's premium reputation. Fixing it is Apple saying the home theater crowd still matters. Removing the iTunes apps? That's just cleaning house. It makes the Apple TV look and feel like a modern Apple device, not a relic from the 2010s.
tvOS 26.4 Key Changes Summary
| Feature/Change | Details | Status/Source |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous Audio Connection | New setting using a Dolby MAT connection to prevent audio dropouts during format switching. | Beta feature; added to fix Sonos/AV receiver issues. |
| iTunes Movies App | Removed from Apple TV home screen. | Permanent removal in tvOS 26.4. |
| iTunes TV Shows App | Removed from Apple TV home screen. | Permanent removal in tvOS 26.4. |
| iTunes Wish List | Feature being discontinued and will no longer be accessible. | Users notified prior to removal. |
| Release Channel | Currently in developer and public beta. | Full rollout expected in spring. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Continuous Audio Connection setting do?
It tries to stop the audio from cutting out by keeping a steady signal to your speaker or receiver, even when the movie or show switches sound formats.
Will I lose my purchased iTunes movies and shows?
Nope. Everything you bought is still there. You just find it all in the Apple TV app now.
When will tvOS 26.4 be released to everyone?
Apple says this spring.
Should I enable the new audio setting?
If your sound cuts out now, try it when the update comes. But be ready to turn it off if your stereo music starts sounding weird.
So here's the takeaway. This update is for two groups of people. If you've got a nice sound system and your Apple TV audio has been glitchy, this could be the fix you've waited years for. And if you're still clicking on the old iTunes app icons out of habit, it's time to break that habit. This is Apple doing the unsexy work of making a mature platform stable and consistent. It's not exciting, but it's what keeps a device from feeling abandoned.
Sources
- 9to5mac.com
- facebook.com
- reddit.com
- iclarified.com
- en.community.sonos.com
- threads.com
- flatpanelshd.com